The annual electronic dance music (EDM) extravaganza, Sunburn Festival, which has been a staple of Goa’s cultural scene for years, is facing opposition from a Goa-based right-wing organization, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. The organization has called for a complete ban on the festival, alleging that it promotes a “drug culture” among the youth.
In a recent development, a delegation from the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Collector of North Goa, urging authorities to prohibit the festival. Sunburn Festival is slated to be held at Vagator beach from December 28 to 31 this year.
The memorandum stated, “The organizers have recently announced that ‘Sunburn 2023’ will be held in Goa at Vagator beach like every year. Due to the festival, Goa’s civility is deteriorating. Such festivals are destroying the youth by promoting drug culture. Organizing ‘Sunburn’ is cultural treason. It is our responsibility to protect Gomantak culture and the youth of Goa. Goa should be free from ‘EDM.'”
Govind Chodankar, the North Goa coordinator for the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, echoed these sentiments, saying, “We appeal to the government to ban the festival from Goa forever and preserve its cultural identity. Such festivals promote drug culture.”
Last week, the festival organizers announced the eagerly awaited line-up for Sunburn Festival 2023 via Instagram. “For years, we have called Vagator our home and we proudly announce, Sunburn Festival 2023 will be taking place in Vagator, Goa,” the post read.
However, it appears that the festival is still awaiting clearance from the government. Sources in the tourism department revealed that the organizers’ submitted documents were incomplete, leading to delays in processing their request. An official, who wished to remain anonymous, disclosed that four reminders have been sent to the organizers to submit the required documentation for clearance.
This controversy is not the first time Sunburn Festival has faced opposition. In August, there were speculations that the festival might be relocated to an alternate venue due to resistance from residents in North Goa’s Pernem taluka. Local residents had threatened to protest against any proposal to host the event in their taluka.
